Schoolcraft College

Bucephalus

Michael Tucker

Professor Thomson

History 134

6 November 2017
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“Bucephalus was depicted as anthropophagous—a man-eater, a combatant that ripped

foes and tore into their flesh” (Jarymowycz 15). The legend of Bucephalus started when his

strength was discovered by a young boy, who would become Alexander the Great. At the age

twelve or thirteen Alexander won a horse after making a bet with his father. This horse was

offered to King Philip II for the price of thirteen talents because no one could tame it. After

seeing that the horse was aggressive and refused to be mounted Philip became angry and told the

man to take the horse away. However, Alexander had other plans and decided to make a bet with

his father that he could mount the horse and if he could not he would pay the price of the horse.

“Alexander ran to the horse, and laying hold the bridle, turned him to the sun; for he had

observed, it seems, that the shadow which fell before the horse, and continually moved as he

moved, greatly disturbed him. While his fierceness and fury lasted, he kept speaking to him

softly and stroking him; after which he gently let fall his mantle, leaped upon his back, and got to

his seat very safe” (​"Plutarch: Alexander the Great Tames Bucephalus, Life of Alexander"). That

moment marked the beginning of the journey of one of the greatest war horses, Bucephalus.

The horse played a big role in the Greek military campaigns and Bucephalus quickly

became a legend. “Bucephalus was the favorite horse of Macedonian general Alexander the

Great. His name, which meant ‘ox head,’ referred to his large ox-head-shaped brand”

(“Bucephalus”). Bucephalus was a large, black horse with a star on his forehead that rode in

many battles with Alexander from the conquest of the Greek city-states all the way into India. In

every battle that Alexander rode Bucephalus they came out victorious. He was looked at as a

good luck charm for Alexander and inspired the men fighting in the battles. In battle, Bucephalus

helped Alexander the Great with not only his speed, but his sheer size. Alexander sat higher on
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the monstrous steed’s back comparably to other war horses. This gave Alexander the leverage he

would need to defeat an enemy. Additionally, Bucephalus’ size allowed for protection and cover

for Alexander to shield himself with in battle. The speed that Bucephalus had allowed for

Alexander the Great to swiftly slice throughout his enemy’s lines. Not only was Bucephalus a

vicious, biting war-lord of a horse, but his size alone allowed tactical use from Alexander the

Great. Bucephalus was injured in many battles but survived through them all until his final battle

against the River Hydaspes in 326 B.C. “The grand old horse, said to have been some 30 years

old, died of wounds inflicted in that battle. The horse was honored with a state funeral, and

Alexander founded a new city, Bucephala, now close to modern-day Jhelum in Pakistan, in his

memory” (Whitaker, White 36). Bucephalus carried Alexander through many countries and

battles and more than once saved his master’s life. Alexander loved Bucephalus so much and

honored him by naming a city after him, keeping the legend of Bucephalus alive.

In addition to Bucephalus’ prowess in battle, he also provided a young Alexander a

lesson. Some say that the lesson Alexander learned the day he met the steed was a turning point

in his life. That day when he declared that he could tame the “wild” horse, he put a bet on

himself. Alexander thought he could tame the horse so he took a risk and it payed off. Learning

to trust in his judgement and abilities, Alexander brought his newly found strategy to the

battlefield years later. With his clear headstrong strategy, Alexander the Great went on to rapidly

conquer Persia. In fact, Alexander the Great, at just 25 years of age, conquered more than any

ruler since Genghis Kahn. Alexander’s confidence led him to an undefeated record in battle,

something even his father, Philip II had not even done. A confidence that Alexander the Great
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learned at a young age would prove vital to his campaigns in the future. When he met the

legendary war-horse he would ride into battle for years to come, it changed his life forever.
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Bibliography

"Bucephalus." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2017,

ancienthistory2.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/586792. Accessed 31 Mar. 2017.

Jarymowycz, Roman. ​Cavalry from Hoof to Track​. Mechanicsburg PA, Stockpole Books, 2009,

pp. 14-15,

https://books.google.com/books?id=Z9i3DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT38&dq=cavalry+from+hoof+to+t

rack+bucephalus&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK9sPoyoHTAhVK5YMKHQk4AOIQ6AEIGj

AA#v=onepage&q=cavalry%20from%20hoof%20to%20track%. Accessed 31 Mar. 2017.

"Plutarch: Alexander the Great Tames Bucephalus, Life of Alexander." World History: Ancient

and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2017, ancienthistory2.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1902622.

Accessed 31 Mar. 2017.

Whitaker, Julie, and Ian White law. ​The Horse; A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge​. New York,
Ivy Press, 2007, pp. 36-37,
https://books.google.com/books?id=tGq6_369WS0C&pg=PA36&dq=the+death+of+bucephalus
&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqgZSa1IHTAhUlxoMKHaYIA_cQ6AEIJzAC#v=onepage&q=t
he%20death%20of%20bucephalus&f=false. Accessed 31 Mar. 2017